Heaven Upside Down
by Marilyn Manson
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 104
  3. Negative: 9 out of 104
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  1. Fitzpatrick
    Oct 12, 2017
    3
    I was excited to spin this CD as the hype last year really hooked me - I was glad Twiggy had returned to the scene, and the last few albums had been of rather good quality.
    A few songs in, I just wasn't feeling it, thinking perhaps this record was back-loaded, but it completely failed to deliver.
    Again, Twiggy is nowhere to be found, which severely hobbles the quality of the Manson    I was excited to spin this CD as the hype last year really hooked me - I was glad Twiggy had returned to the scene, and the last few albums had been of rather good quality.
    A few songs in, I just wasn't feeling it, thinking perhaps this record was back-loaded, but it completely failed to deliver.
    Again, Twiggy is nowhere to be found, which severely hobbles the quality of the Manson sound. Brian Warner is the only remaining original member of Manson, and it shows: the atmosphere is flat and two-dimensional...I fail to see this as any sort of 'Masterpiece.'
    Additionally, the lyrical content and vocal inflections had me cringing; like he is trying WAY too hard - it came off to me as very juvenile, which sucks because Manson has always had a knack for articulation and capturing meaning in a raw, but mature manner. With that said, the over use of the word F**K is just lame - it does the converse of accenting the mood, having me rolling my eyes as I try to make it through another song. Most fans are now in our 30's: so by over using and over inflecting curse words to appeal to the angsty youth of today comes off as silly.
    There is no subtlety anywhere to be found in this record; more a 'In-your-face-look-at-me-I'm-back' which again, tries way too hard to celebrate Manson's return to media, or relevance or whatever.
    There is little melody, and few hooks; just an overall a very loud, but very 'flat' musical narration accompanying textured and pulsing electronic beats. I don't see how this is 'the most thematic and over-complicated' record Manson has produced...he always overdubs multiple tracks of his vocals.
    Perhaps it takes a while. If I catch a greater essence of what this record is about I'll be back.    … Expand
  2. KrysTantra
    Oct 6, 2017
    3
    An unexpected failure in contrast to the very authentic and dark predecessor "The Pale Emperor". This new album is underwhelming and less imaginative. Cheesy guitar licks filled in with synthesizer loops. Noise and fury, signifying nothing. This should have been released as an LP, as only a few tracks are half-decent. Tyler Bates & Brian Warner should have kept riding that PaleAn unexpected failure in contrast to the very authentic and dark predecessor "The Pale Emperor". This new album is underwhelming and less imaginative. Cheesy guitar licks filled in with synthesizer loops. Noise and fury, signifying nothing. This should have been released as an LP, as only a few tracks are half-decent. Tyler Bates & Brian Warner should have kept riding that Pale Emperor horse, there was much more substance in that presentation. 3/10.… Expand
  3. Abusement76
    Oct 9, 2017
    3
    Heaven Upside Downer! Nowhere near as solid as some of his previous works. Mid/Slow tempo songs infect what could of been a great album. I'm really struggling to find the gems and can't believe the majority reviews giving this album a "masterpiece" status among his other works. The lyrics at times are juvenile & the vocal hooks are not strong. There are bits of the past that tease you butHeaven Upside Downer! Nowhere near as solid as some of his previous works. Mid/Slow tempo songs infect what could of been a great album. I'm really struggling to find the gems and can't believe the majority reviews giving this album a "masterpiece" status among his other works. The lyrics at times are juvenile & the vocal hooks are not strong. There are bits of the past that tease you but unfortunately go nowhere, while the rest of the record doesn't have that violent ear addicting cocaine quality that it needs. I will be curious to see how many songs he plays of this live and if they are just as lifeless & dead.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 27, 2017
    70
    Manson’s nihilistic take on 2017 is interwoven with glimpses of personal darkness, wrapped up in mutually constrictive and damaging relationships on epic dirge Blood Honey and the closing Threats Of Romance, ordering a partner to do his murderous bidding on the Muse disco blues Kill4Me, and mourning the loss of his father on the seven-minute centrepiece Saturnalia. But even here there’s a renewed crackle to Manson’s attack--a viper regaining its bite.
    Read full review
  2. Kerrang!
    Oct 11, 2017
    80
    Heaven Upside Down betters that record [2015's The Pale Emperor]. [14 Oct 2017, p.50]
  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 11, 2017
    59
    On Heaven Upside Down, his 10th album, Manson embraces the tropes that made him a menace and a rock star and a stalwart of goth.
    Read full review
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